Long time listener/ 3rd time caller


I'll try to be as precise as possible so I don't waste anyone's time.

It's an 01' z06. Approx 55k miles.


The problem:
Sometimes the car starts and runs like normal. Most the time though, the gauge cluster is flashing when I turn the key to "ON". What I do to get it started is turn the key on and off repeatedly until it gives me the normal light up with gauge sweep saying "corvette". The car starts up and runs fine from that point on. I don't believe that this is a "car stays in sleep mode" problem as this happens when I just run into a gas station for a min etc. It seems to have gotten worse and worse and takes long and longer to get out of the gauge cluster flashing mode. The accessories, radio, A/C all work and do NOT flash nor do the under dash and mirror lights flash. The front DRL's do flash I'm pretty sure as far as I can see out of the reflection off the garage wall.

I recently was in London for 6 weeks and had my father look after the car. He "said" he started it weekly but had to jump it at some point so I'm not sure if that could have caused some type of problem if it was jumped incorrectly. My father does own a car shop so I'm doubting that possibility. However, In the winter I let it sit for a month at a time and it fires right up. I know these cars act up when the battery is going or the grounds are bad.

The battery was put on a load tester and everything showed it was working fine. I first thought it was the battery, and I still slightly suspect it may be, but it tested fine. We tested the alternator and that was seeing 14.4 volts, the battery was seeing around 14.2 volts, the BCM was seeing around 14.2 when we had the scanner plugged in, but the gauge cluster was showing 13.2. Even with the car revving up under load it isn't getting above 13.7 on the gauge cluster. This really had us scratching our heads. My mechanic has it narrowed down to the BCM or Gauge cluster.


The first time I picked the car up last sun, it seemed like it took an extra crank to get it started. That happened a few times. Then it progressed to this cluster flash and would start with no gauges working and then putter out. Then this flashing wildly and not starting at all thing started happening and the starter just makes a loud click. On Tuesday this week I was driving down a pretty busy road and the engine just shut off. luckily I just coasted it into a parking lot and she started right back up. (thats the most scary and confusing part of this all). Now it's hit or miss if the car wants to work, but I am driving it almost every day and like i said, hit or miss.

I tried pulling the codes while it was doing the freak out thing and it wouldn't let me, but i got it to operate normal and here are the codes I pulled. Most of them are completely irrelevant, but I figure I will post them all:

PCM:
P0140/0160 HC Thats the rear 02's that need to be tuned out.
P0654 H- although history, can't find what it is
TC:
TC C1288H
TC 1295H
IPC:
B1543H
HVAC:
B0361HC


Other than that, I believe thats everything I can think of now. I do randomly get a active handling/ traction control EBCM message pop up, but those are very few and far between.


thanks for looking guys and sorry for the long story. Hope someone can help. Most signs are probably pointing to the BCM I'm guessing.

Happy 4th!!!!!

 

You've got several things going on there. The main issue, I would be looking at the starter solenoid connection as this is where the electrical comes together and distributes to the two fuse boxes. Next, the ignition switch itself....you might want to follow Bill Curlee's posting on repairing it. You "may" have issues with your steering position sensor starting to go bad and you probably are losing the driver's side hvac actuator but clear the codes and see if they come back first before going any farther with those.

 

Thanks boys and happy 4th. I'll take a look at those things tomorrow and post back here. If anyone else is having this problem feel free to chime in.

 

Since I will be in there, is there any way you have those links handy about repairing the ignition switch. if I'm in there and I find it is faulty, Id like to be able to fix it right then. I'll hit up the search field as well. Was just seeing if you had a specific way to do this? I'm sure the search will get me plenty of help.

thanks in advance.

 

Just a follow up this is 100% an ignition problem which I'm happy about. Much cheaper fix. I haven't gone through the diagnosis meathods yet, but I do have the dash down now and I just put the key in and pulled the electrical connector on the back of the key cylinder closer to the key and it made everything work fine. I tried this attest 5 times to make sure. Just to be safe I'm going to do the above mentioned diagnosis as well as the fix posted. Thanks sooooo much for the great help.